Stepping on the Demoness to become the strongest

Lin Ning's mouth seemed to be completely opposite to her brain, with a neurological pathway in between that functioned like a NOT gate, making her the textbook example of saying one thing but meaning another.

During combat training, Yun Jin was basically cooperative with "Sure, okay, can do" and followed every stance instruction completely. Ningning, however, was more "No, don't, can't," symbolically resisting a few times before gradually starting to cooperate, and even trying to fight for control and lead.

All her skills were taught by Yan Yu, how could she possibly outmaneuver him? Soon, her voice quivered with tears, yet she refused to admit defeat, holding onto her anger and looking for an opportunity to retaliate, like an angry little porcupine.

It must be said, although her attitude and reaction of resisting while reluctant were seemingly awkward and deliberate, when closely tasted, they had a unique flavor of their own.

Thanks for the hospitality.

The sparring ultimately ended with Yan Yu's complete victory. His upper limit was handling four opponents at once, little Ningning naturally couldn't be his match; this match was never on the same level from the beginning.

Lin Ning obviously didn't think so. She lay flat on her back, staring straight at the ceiling, her mouth slightly puckered, not saying a word.

She wasn't so tired that she couldn't speak, she was just angry with herself.

I performed so poorly just now! Got beaten up by the captain without being able to fight back, not even as good as Sister Zhao!

"What's wrong?" Yan Yu leaned close to her, showing a teasing smile, "Worn out?"

Lin Ning turned away, ignoring him.

"Why are you throwing a tantrum?" Yan Yu grabbed her shoulder, turning her over, "Weren't you the one who said everyone should be treated equally?"

"Do you only act when I take the initiative?" Lin Ning immediately retorted, "Treat everyone the same, not differentiating, isn't that what you should do as the captain?"

"There's no captain anymore." Yan Yu laughed, "The team disbanded."

Lin Ning stared at him, her beautiful big eyes showing extremely complex emotions, but quickly turned angry again, gritting her teeth and said:

"Yes, cultivators automatically leave the team after forming the core, so you are no longer my captain. Then what is our relationship now?"

That was a good question. First of all, definitely not comrades, as everyone except Ningning has formed their core, the team no longer exists; secondly, definitely not friends, what kind of proper friends would do this kind of two-person sparring?

So actually...

Yan Yu reached out to the bedside table to grab the document he brought, only to hear Lin Ning half-angry, half-grievance complaining:

"You just like bullying me. The team disbanded, rather go find them than come to me. Only when I actively mention it do you come over, making it seem like I'm begging you to be with me."

"I won't beg you anymore! You come if you want, don't if you don't want. Anyway, I'm not as pretty as Ling Yun, not as sexy as Sister Zhao, not as gentle as Yun Jin, nor like Ruoxi who doesn't complain when you mess with her, you can go play with them, don't bother with me. After forming the core, I'll take care of myself, thank you for looking after me when you were the captain, goodbye!"

"You, what are you babbling about?" Yan Yu was amused by her awkward manner, handing over the application document, "Here, sign this."

"Sign what?" Lin Ning refused to take it, saying angrily, "I won't."

"Selling contract." Yan Yu laughed, "If you sign this, you're mine henceforth."

"Ridiculous, again with those down-to-earth comments." Lin Ning, slightly curious, took the document and browsed through.

After a while, she suddenly sat up in surprise, letting the blanket slide off her.

Then quickly reacted, pulling the blanket up to cover her chest with her right hand and shaking the document with her left hand, questioning:

"What is this!"

What's the point of covering up, as if I haven't seen it before… Yan Yu thought to himself, but said aloud:

"Application to become a couple. How about it, weren't you asking what our relationship is after the team disbanded? Sign this document and we'll be officially recognized as a couple."

"That's what I meant!" Lin Ning threw the document away, papers scattering in the air, "Confession! If we're going to be a couple, shouldn't you confess first? Giving a document for me to sign, what does that count as! What do you take me for?"

"Not that, Ningning." Yan Yu seemed a bit confused, "What is our relationship now? What did we just do, forgot? Going this far, still need a verbal confession?"

"Get on the bus and no need to buy a ticket later?" Lin Ning glared hard. Although it was an angry expression, it didn't have Yun Jin's heavy pressure, more like a clawing little animal, actually making Yan Yu want to continue teasing her, "You are so funny! Not willing to even say 'I love you,' yet want me to be your girlfriend!"

"Hmm." Yan Yu was a bit speechless. No wonder you and Yun Jin get along, the pursuit of ceremonial vibes is almost identical, "Fine, I love you."

"Drop the first two words!" Lin Ning became ever angrier, her chest seemingly expanding, "Don't use that perfunctory tone!"

"Ningning, I love you." Yan Yu had to put on a deeply affectionate look, "Since the first time I saw you in the school cafeteria, I secretly decided, this girl I must get…"

"Gross." Lin Ning kicked him angrily, "You can say you liked me from the first sight, but talking about 'getting' me, I'm not your toy!"

If you're not my toy, why are you so fun? Yan Yu chuckled silently, but said aloud:

"That's what I meant. From the first sight, I liked you, now finally can be your boyfriend, I feel honored and privileged."

"Hmph, hypocritical." Lin Ning pouted again, angrily, "Saying it so exaggeratedly, not sincere at all."

Yan Yu was silent for a moment, she continued:

"Then say, in the original team, the one you liked the most was me."

"The one I liked the most was Ningning." Yan Yu smoothly replied.

A touch of the lips, flattering words came out, no psychological preparation needed at all.

"Because I'm the prettiest, smartest, and most capable." Lin Ning sweetly smiled, no longer hiding her joyful emotions, her brows and eyes curved cutely, "That's why you want to be with me."

"Exactly, you summarized perfectly." Yan Yu nodded, "Because you're pretty, smart, and capable, so the one I like the most is you."

"Hold on." Lin Ning reached under the pillow, pulling out a voice recorder, "Say it into this, I want to record it."

Yan Yu: ...

Why did you still keep this kooky voice recorder!

Sweet words can be said, but cannot be recorded. Although Ningning probably wouldn't intentionally do it, if other girls hear the recording, it would turn into a brutal battlefield!

Just a battlefield, Yan Yu wasn't really scared. The issue was battlefield escalating, usually ending with everyone uniting against him, and his upper limit was handling four at once, any more would certainly end in self-humiliation, being bullied without retaliation, dignity lost, and lifetime ridicule!

"No need to record." Yan Yu reached to grab the voice recorder, "There's the document and signature, official recognition, what's to worry about?"

"Recognition is recognition, attitude is attitude!" Lin Ning quickly extended her hand away, preventing him from grabbing it, "You just talk now, then change your words in front of them, recording is to prevent that!"

It must be said, this Ningning, worthy of my teaching, saw through my intentions instantly.

Yan Yu certainly wouldn't let her record, directly trying to snatch the recorder.

"Give it to me!"

"No way!"

"Be good, give it to me."

"Wishful thinking, it's mine!"

"If you don't give it to me, don't blame me for being rude."

"Hmph." Lin Ning glanced sideways, deliberately using a contemptuous tone, "You still have the strength?"

Her expression was really tempting and charming, to the point Yan Yu almost couldn't resist, had to use Flying Sword again, planning to impart his lifetime's swordsmanship skills.

————————

Yan Family Secret Swordsmanship, not to be demonstrated outside.

Lin Ning studied extremely seriously, without complaining or feeling tired, drenched in sweat and utterly exhausted, thinking why was I so foolish to provoke him? But it was too late for regret.

Yet Yan Yu, considering her Crossing Tribulation, didn't really exhaust her, letting her keep some energy.

Ruoxi, Yun Jin, Ningning... serving these in sequence, even an iron-bodied cultivator had a melting-like strange sensation. Without any cultivation in body revitalizing Secret Techniques, his upper limit was undoubtedly short-term handling four at once, without breakthroughs.

Being endlessly battled by more than four was sure defeat!

Yan Yu confirmed this once more. To avoid unexpected troubles, he wouldn't rush more signatures, instead returning to his room at the base, planning to rest for the night.

After regaining full energy, he'd continue discussing with them!

Feeling slightly drained, Yan Yu went to sleep around eight in the evening. At midnight eleven, someone abruptly knocked on the door.

He opened his eyes from meditation, slightly puzzled, and said:

"Come in."

The newcomer walked through the wall, wearing a white lab coat, Ye Jun, looking at him in surprise:

"Why did you sleep so early?"

"Early?" Yan Yu glanced at his phone, "By usual living routine, this time is sleeping."

"Cultivators don't need sleep." Ye Jun said melancholy, hands in coat pockets, "I haven't slept for weeks."

"Even without sleep, can't work overnight too long." Yan Yu reminded, "You're also crossing tribulation soon, long-term work will affect your state adversely, entirely messed up then."

"Yes." Ye Jun also smiled, "I came to discuss tribulation plans."

"Go ahead." Yan Yu smiled, "Any questions, ask away."

"No issues." Ye Jun removed lab coat, tossing on chair, "Remember the Golden Core Rank plan you promised…"

Yan Yu's smile instantly froze.